Joshua Ward


Leisure

Newton’s Noodles proves derivative

Newton’s Noodles just added two items to the District’s gastronomic lexicon: the Fuzu and the Chork. No, this isn’t a culinary fable, but the new joint may be able to leave you with a lesson on how to do Asian-infused, fast-casual dining right.

Leisure

Critical Voices: Glasser, Interiors

Glasser’s second full-length release, Interiors, shows no evidence of the structure its name might suggest. Instead, the expansive hollowness of this album gives Cameron Mesirow the freedom to drift through her musical dream world, but it leaves her audience yearning for something tangible to hold on to.

Leisure

Critical Voices: Chrvches, The Bones of What You Believe

A tumultuous lovers’ quarrel is not often told in such beautiful, cheerful tones. On their first full-length release, The Bones of What You Believe, Chvrches delivers the enthralling narrative of a failing relationship, dragging the listener through pain and loathing with a charming, electro-pop sound.

Leisure

Critical Voices: MGMT, MGMT

MGMT’s self-titled LP is a beautiful labyrinth that can only be appreciated once you break free of its constricting walls. Though weirder than ever, the electro-soaked, psych-rock sound, first shared with the world on MGMT’s breakout success Oracular Spectacular, has become more refined and distinctive in their third full-length recording.

Leisure

Critical Voices: Holy Ghost!, Dynamics

Holy Ghost!’s sophomore effort, Dynamics, is like walking through a multistoried discotheque. Most rooms blast 80s movie soundtracks, but you’ll stop sporadically to find floors of bubbly, synthpop dance. While the Brooklyn-based duo’s love for disco leads to the occasional dance anthem, the LP is oversaturated in nostalgia and too caught up in the past to offer anything new to its listeners.

News

News Hit

Significant progress has been made toward the completion of D.C.’s two forthcoming public transit lines, the Purple Line and the Silver Line. The Purple Line is a proposed East-West rail... Read more

Leisure

Critical Voices: Jonathan Rado, Law and Order

On his debut solo project Law and Order, Jonathan Rado casts his net just about as wide as a 45 minute LP will permit. Starting with the familiar psych rock sound of Foxygen, the critically acclaimed group that he co-founded in 2005, Rado quickly broadens his repertoire, venturing into Motown, punk, and folk, ultimately finding his comfort zone right back where he started.