Leisure

Reviews and think pieces on music, movies, art, and theater.

Leisure

HDTV brings Tai Verdes’ genre-bending music into high definition

Though both of his albums are musically and thematically lighthearted, Verdes elevates HDTV through experimentation with new sounds.

By October 7, 2022

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Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is wacky, weird, and wonderful

Shawn Mendes as a singing crocodile is objectively absurd, and yet, I loved it.

By October 7, 2022

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IDLES brings “hard rock for softies” to The Anthem

From their first album, 2017’s Brutalism, Bristol-based outfit IDLES established themselves as a punk band driven by one vital goal: cultivating joy and compassion in a painful and unjust world.

By October 6, 2022

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Snippets from a Strokes concert

I was on a mission to experience The Strokes in all of their manifest, authentic glory at least once in my life, and nothing could stand in my way. 

By September 29, 2022

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Bad Bunny’s “World’s Hottest Tour” is the perfect summer send-off

Bad Bunny transported concert-goers to the beaches of Puerto Rico and gave D.C. a much-needed opportunity to let loose and say goodbye to summer.  

By September 25, 2022

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Don’t worry, darling, about Don’t Worry Darling

Allow me to reassure you: Beyond the gossip and noise, there’s no cause for concern.

By September 23, 2022

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A rousing ensemble cast elevates the script of The Woman King and gives the film its power

Despite some narrative and visual deficiencies, The Woman King succeeds in its dedication to painting a full picture of life in Dahomey.

By September 16, 2022

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Beyoncé, rebirthed: What Renaissance means for her legacy and more

But it’s on Renaissance where Beyoncé proves there’s no need to top herself—she instead transforms the musical geography altogether.

By August 27, 2022

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House music is back, with credit to its roots

From hip-hop to hyperpop, music’s biggest names are playing with house music, a genre born in the gay clubs of Chicago and New York.

By August 26, 2022

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Austin Butler resurrects The King in Elvis, imbuing his career with a newfound twenty-first century relevance

So what more is there to discover about the music industry star so influential that he was dubbed “The King?”

By August 20, 2022

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Fire Island puts the Pride in Pride and Prejudice, to generally successful results

Rejecting the author’s heteronormativity, Fire Island centers the titular vacation spot known for its celebration of gay life.

By June 3, 2022

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State Champs’ Kings of the New Age artfully improves on what makes pop punk captivating

State Champs’ Kings of the New Age (2022) is an anthemic punk album ready-made for summer—all while being a life-affirming, thoughtful dive into issues of love, loss, paranoia, and moving... Read more

By May 31, 2022

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Rx (2022) shows ROLE MODEL revived in a whirl of passion, devotion, and vibrant sensation

Rx surges forth in a journey from struggle and vulnerability toward a place just as open and honest, but cushioned by love.

By April 30, 2022

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Violet Brings Faith, Hope, and Music to Georgetown’s Davis Center

The strong dichotomy between hope and tragedy in the narrative and Gleason's impactful directorial choices turned the show into a beautiful, lingering memory. 

By April 29, 2022

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We gave Lizzy McAlpine a minute and five seconds flat is the remarkable result

five seconds flat firmly side-steps the sophomore slump with mature production, stellar lyricism, and fearless creativity.

By April 25, 2022

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Synetic Theater’s The Servant of Two Masters brings movement and life to a centuries-old classic

A complicated play with several major plot points conveyed to the audience through characters’ verbal recounting of events, it hardly seems the perfect candidate for an adaptation without any words.

By April 19, 2022

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The Outfit (2022) is as sharp and stylish as expected

Graham Moore’s directorial debut The Outfit (2022) whisks the audience along in a series of complications and dangles the hope of a conclusion with restored justice.

By April 18, 2022

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Rex Orange County’s Who Cares? puts an optimistic spin on feeling aimless

While the title may seem fatalistic, Rex (Alex O’Connor) puts a cheerful twist on the question with his fourth album.

By April 16, 2022

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Jujutsu Kaisen 0 explores the tricky relationship between love and grief

Based on Volume 0 of Gege Akutami’s beloved manga and anime series, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021) is a dark fantasy film that expertly navigates the tricky web of pain and guilt that sits under the shadow of unreconciled grief.

By April 16, 2022

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Conan Gray embodies versatility in a stellar return to the stage

Conan Gray’s 2022 tour has been long-awaited, and it certainly did not disappoint. In fact, it was a true testament to his stellar artistry.

By April 10, 2022