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The Knockturnal

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Exclusive Interview: Cate Tomlinson on New Single 'Radio' and Becoming Her Most Confident Self - The Knockturnal

Following the release of her new single “Radio,” rising pop artist Cate Tomlinson spoke with The Knockturnal about…

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Exclusive Interview: Hunter Metts Stays Rooted in Honesty - The Knockturnal

Ahead of his sold-out show at the Mercury Lounge, rising folk artist Hunter Metts spoke with The Knockturnal…

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Nathy Peluso Transforms Café Colmado into Café Malportada for New Pop-Up - The Knockturnal

The Grammy-winning Spanish artist mixed coffee with salsa to celebrate her latest EP, MALPORTADA.

Washington Square News

Album Reviews

Film/TV Reviews

Event Coverage/Q&A

Theater Reviews

Listicles/Misc.

Album Reviews

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Review: Rosalía ascends to divine musicianship on ‘LUX’ - Washington Square News

For some artists, taking a risk means switching genres or reinventing their signature sound. For Rosalía, it means singing in 13 languages and mixing operatic vocals with industrial production. But, it’s hardly a risk for this artist whose second nature is innovation. Following her 2022 record, “MOTOMAMI,” which blended reggaeton with hyperpop, her new album...

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Review: Blood Orange’s ‘Essex Honey’ is a time capsule of love and loss - Washington Square News

Whether you know him as Devonté “Dev” Hynes or by his stage name, Blood Orange, the English singer, songwriter, producer and composer consistently runs ahead of his time. He’s quietly collaborated with everyone from Harry Styles to Britney Spears, while his original tracks slip into iconic movie soundtracks, like the inclusion of his 2013 track,...

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Review: On ‘Bloodless,’ Samia teeters on the edge of rebirth - Washington Square News

Ever since her 2020 debut album, “The Baby,” every Samia record has felt like a page ripped from her diary. While her previous releases highlighted the excitement and anxieties of growing up, Samia’s third studio album, “Bloodless,” switches gears, exploring a darker, more existential path. On this record, Samia questions the woman she is becoming...

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Review: Ariana Grande radiates authenticity on ‘eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead’ - Washington Square News

There’s no doubt that Ariana Grande is at an artistic high right now. Straight out of an Oscar-nominated award season, the singer has returned, stacking harmonies and spitting verses for her seventh studio album “eternal sunshine” with a new deluxe version titled “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead.” While it can be easy for deluxe...

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Review: JENNIE’s ‘Ruby’ is the perfect balance of persona and personal - Washington Square News

Ever since she debuted in the internationally known K-pop group BLACKPINK in 2016, Jennie Kim — mononymously known as JENNIE — has become a ubiquitous force of nature as the ultimate “it girl.” As the face of Coco Chanel and Calvin Klein in addition to her singing career, she is an undeniable conversation starter across...

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Review: LISA’s ‘Alter Ego’ is an exciting debut with questionable substance - Washington Square News

In her track “FXCK UP THE WORLD (Ft. Future),” K-pop superstar Lalisa Manobal, known mononymously as LISA, sings, “They want the old LISA, then listen to my old shit.” Ironically, we haven’t seen significant artistic growth from the singer as a soloist or through her time in BLACKPINK. Manobal presents herself as an entertainer rather...

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Review: ‘Wicked: The Soundtrack’ ends on a high note — literally - Washington Square News

It should come as no surprise that “Wicked: The Soundtrack” works as well as it does. After all, that’s what you get when you combine an Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning actress and a multi-platinum, four-octave pop icon who just so happens to be a superfan of the Broadway show. And better yet, the internet went...

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Review: Charli xcx’s new remix album explores the nuances of fear and fame - Washington Square News

This year, it seems as though all of the prominent names in pop have released albums — Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish, to name a few. But it was entirely unpredictable that British electronic pop artist Charli xcx, who has remained steadily but somewhat subtly renowned within the music industry for about...

Event Coverage/Q&A

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Q&A: Indy feels most like herself on stage - Washington Square News

In 2017, Indy Yelich watched Billie Eilish perform at the intimate Baby’s All Right venue in Williamsburg. This summer, she returned there for the album listening party of her older sister, Ella — better known as Lorde. Last month, she took that stage herself for her first headlining show, describing it as a “rite of...

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Q&A: Maria Ellis on inventing her sound - Washington Square News

Lines between talent and gimmicks blur as new artists increasingly rely on social media publicity, but New York-based singer Maria Ellis proved herself as a rising star with an impressive range and musicality, resulting in over 6 million views and 95,000 followers across social media platforms. She first rose to prominence with a viral TikTok...

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Q&A: Maude Latour on performing for a hometown crowd at All Things Go NYC - Washington Square News

On stage, rising pop star Maude Latour is a force to be reckoned with. While performing, she’s jumping up and down and belting pop-rock tracks, dressed in a sparkling two-piece with glittery strands in her hair. Off stage, the 25-year-old maintains her bubbly energy, chatting with strangers and friends even after performing an energy-filled set...

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Queer and female voices ruled 2025’s All Things Go NYC - Washington Square News

There’s a reason why the All Things Go Music Festival is historically nicknamed “All Things Gay.” For over a decade, the festival has highlighted an almost entirely woman, nonbinary and queer lineup — in turn gaining a loyal audience of similar demographics. The annual festival got its start in Washington, D.C. in 2014 and expanded...

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Q&A: Molly Grace can charm anyone with a single song - Washington Square News

Equipped with pink sparkly dresses, platform white heels and an enviable vocal range, Molly Grace is a woman to watch for in the music landscape. Since the 2021 release of her debut EP “Everybody Wants to Know Molly,” the 23-year-old singer’s pop and funk-influenced tracks have paved the road for the eventual viral success of...

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Review: The Sweat Tour turns Madison Square Garden into New York City’s hottest club - Washington Square News

A sea of bright green flooded the streets of New York City on Sept. 23, marking Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. To the two artists’ devoted followers, not even the potential aftermath of a Monday night concert — subway delays or missed morning classes — could deter them from...

Film/TV Reviews

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Review: ‘Wicked: For Good’ rejuvenates a divisive second act - Washington Square News

If you’ve ever left a production of the “Wicked” musical baffled at the drop in quality between its first and second act, you’re not alone. With fewer memorable songs and irritating plotlines, act one’s explosive energy quickly devolves into something much bleaker. Clearly, director Jon M. Chu had lots to prove with his decision to...

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Review: Art speaks where words can’t in ‘Sentimental Value’ - Washington Square News

Can a house remain intact if its interior walls are broken? In the opening sequence of “Sentimental Value,” young Nora Borg (Renate Reinsve) recites a school essay where she personifies her childhood home, its stomach full and sated when bustling with people and aching when left in silence. Years later, Nora is a thriving stage...

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Review: ‘Bugonia’ boldly denounces the hive mind - Washington Square News

Don’t worry, you don’t need to shave your head to see Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons in “Bugonia” — but doing so might help you understand the film’s themes. Following previous explorations of power dynamics in “Poor Things” and “Kinds of Kindness,” director Yorgos Lanthimos presents sharp commentary in arguably his most accessible movie to...

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Review: ‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’ fails to reach a worthwhile destination - Washington Square News

It’s hard for a film to be sincere when not one, but two Burger King product placements interrupt its story. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens in director Kogonada’s “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” starring Academy Award nominees Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell. In an era where wholehearted romance stories in film are increasingly rare, Kogonada’s...

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Review: The future of dating is bleak in ‘Companion’ - Washington Square News

Meet Josh (Jack Quaid). He’s your adorkable boy-next-door type who knocks over the fruit stand at the grocery store and makes sure to let you know that his friends do like hanging out with you. Sure, he’s clumsy and maybe a bit controlling, but that’s no issue for a girl like Iris (Sophie Thatcher). She’s...

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Review: ‘Heretic’ neglects the art of subtlety - Washington Square News

Spoiler warning: This review contains spoilers for “Heretic.” This year, I’ve finally accepted that recent horror films drastically underestimate the intelligence of their audience. “Longlegs” left no ambiguity with its explanatory third act. “MaXXXine” guided the audience to the killer reveal so mildly that there was no room for any shock. One could even argue...

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Review: ‘Smile 2’ gives stage fright a whole new meaning - Washington Square News

Content warning: This review contains discussions of suicide. Spoiler warning: This review contains spoilers. In an age where it seems that every horror trope has been done, there’s always a new movie to prove you wrong. Now, anything can be haunted — even a smile. Two years after the success of the first “Smile” film,...

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Review: After 4 seasons, maybe Paris isn't what Emily needs - Washington Square News

Warning: This review contains spoilers for “Emily in Paris.”  “Emily in Paris” isn’t the type of show you watch for complex writing, high-stakes plotlines or even well-developed characters. From the get-go, the show has acted as a sort of baby-sensory sitcom for people who love flashy marketing, flashier fashion and love affairs that can’t seem...

Theater Reviews

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Review: Sarah Snook redefines live theater in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ - Washington Square News

One woman, 26 characters and two uninterrupted hours of awe. This is exactly what hundreds of theatergoers flock to at the Music Box Theatre. Kip Williams’ newest theatrical adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic book “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is now playing for a limited time after its award-winning run on the West End. Onstage,...

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Summer camp has never been so camp in ‘Ginger Twinsies’ - Washington Square News

If you’ve ever felt personally victimized by the villainization of money-driven publicist Meredith Blake in Nancy Meyers’ “The Parent Trap,” look no further than “Ginger Twinsies,” a reimagining of the ’90s staple. In director Kevin Zak’s off-Broadway debut, niche pop culture references are spit out by the second as the cast reinforces that maybe the...

Listicles

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Artists we need new albums from in 2026 - Washington Square News

Once midnight strikes and 2026 begins, it’s never too early to start wishing for your favorite artist to finally drop a new record. 2025 proved to be an unpredictable year for music as newer acts burst onto the scene, especially with the unexpected shockwave of HUNTR/X and Saja Boys from “KPop Demon Hunters” dominating the...

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Staff Recs: Hibernation mode - Washington Square News

With the semester coming to a close, the enticing long stretch of winter break lays ahead. If somehow the past four months slipped away and you still haven’t started that TV show or finished that book that you’ve been telling yourself for months that you were going to get to, now is the time to...

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Beat seasonal depression with these holiday tunes - Washington Square News

The final stretch between Thanksgiving and winter break can feel longer than the entire summer. Between being cooped up in Bobst Library and bracing yourself against the brutal wind chill, it’s easy to overlook the holiday markets, lit trees and seasonal joy all around the city. Whether you’re chasing the nostalgia of your childhood Christmas...

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Staff recs: Hopecore - Washington Square News

Hopecore is more than a Pinterest board or folder of emotional TikTok edits of awards acceptance speeches. It’s a state of mind. Against tumultuous news cycles, the future’s uncertainties and winter’s darkness looming ahead, hopecore reminds us to celebrate the little wins and find ways to spark joy in our lives. Recent developments like the...

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Books beyond Bobst: A collegiate love triangle, jump-scares and more - Washington Square News

“We Used to Live Here” by Marcus Kliewer Finding true fright in literature can be tough, but Marcus Kliewer’s psychological horror novel “We Used to Live Here” is sure to shock any reader with its mind-bending plot. Once you start the book, it’s impossible to put it down. As a slow-paced reader, I frequently chase...

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5 running anthems to get you across the finish line - Washington Square News

Whether you’re running in the upcoming New York City Marathon or squeezing in a workout at 404 Fitness, curating the perfect workout playlist isn’t something to take lightly. When the beat aligns with your pace and the lyrics speak directly to your soul, the right song at the right time will give you the push...

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Elevate your Halloween movie night with 5 unconventional picks - Washington Square News

As October comes to an end, the seasonal rewatches of our favorite Halloween movies draw nearer. Friend groups around the world gather every year to watch classic slashers like 1978’s “Halloween,” iconic comedies like “Hocus Pocus” and — perhaps controversially — “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” At this point, classic Halloween movies are not difficult to...

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5 songs to bring you back home - Washington Square News

In the city that never sleeps, homesickness will creep up on even the most independent NYU students. Whether you miss your childhood bed or a home-cooked meal, sometimes there’s no other option but to pull out your most nostalgic or depressing playlist and mentally escape. Until your next trip back, here’s some songs to add...

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5 shows we want a Broadway revival of - Washington Square News

Whether spotlighting overlooked shows or reimagining classics, Broadway revivals introduce timeless theater to new audiences. Out of countless productions that have come and gone, here are the five shows that deserve another moment under the stage lights.   “Seussical”   Being in a cursed production of “Seussical” in grade school is a theater kid’s rite...

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6 of our favorite needle drops in film - Washington Square News

Some of the greatest soundtracks of all time consist of songs with an identity outside of the film itself — “Goodfellas,” “Pulp Fiction” and “Dirty Dancing” to name a few. No matter the movie, a truly well-placed needle drop can elevate a scene from just really good to forever memorable. Here are a few of...

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Staff Recs: Summer faves - Washington Square News

Consuming egregious amounts of media over the summer means optimized first-day-of-class icebreakers. If your hometown characters, family vacation quarrels or that investment banking internship didn’t break your spirits from June to August, hopefully you had time to unwind with some good, old-fashioned art. If not, steal one of our summer favorites and study up —...

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Some sad songs for rainy days - Washington Square News

At this point, we’ve made it through the lion’s share of April showers, but the rainy season is far from over. There’s something about the gloomy weather that makes us somber, and the best way to pull through these melancholic moments can be through music. So dial up your headphones and remember that the sunshine...

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8 of our favorite film scores - Washington Square News

Very few on-screen battles or exceptional cinematic monologues have been delivered to the sound of silence. Oftentimes, the compositions accompanying our favorite films become as iconic and integral to their storylines as the characters themselves. Here are several scores that have driven us to separate the music from their stories and take to Spotify to...

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10 love songs we adore - Washington Square News

As we approach Valentine’s Day, the Arts Desk is unconcerned with your relationship status. Whether you’re single, taken or somewhere in between, the desire to celebrate love of all sorts through music can be evergreen. Classic, quintessential love songs are a staple of our playlists all year round — these tunes are about love, which...

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10 songs for your cold-weather playlist - Washington Square News

Sure, it hit 80 degrees on Halloween. But as we creep into the second half of November, it’s hard to deny that students are breaking out their winter coats and bracing for colder days. The switch from warm weather bangers to sweater weather songs can impact our playlists just as much as our clothing. Whether...