Leisure

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

Leisure

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

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Fresh: A new horror classic

If there’s one thing guaranteed besides its future establishment as a horror classic, it’s that Fresh will at least make you feel a little better about the realities of your own dating life. 

By April 5, 2022

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The Cherry Blossoms are here: A season of hope, renewal and instagrammable moments is upon us

“Flowers have a way of showing us that the world just keeps ongoing. [They] remind us that things will always renew.” 

By April 4, 2022

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Fame, femininity, and flamenco: On MOTOMAMI, Rosalía is not the pop star you think she is

On MOTOMAMI, Rosalía is both more playful and vulnerable than ever before, offering meditations on love, fame, and womanhood. 

By March 31, 2022

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Felly’s “Rush of the Road” tour demonstrates that the most integral part of a performance is the audience

Christian Felner, whose stage name is Felly, found a love for music in the same town that I did.

By March 29, 2022

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The Dark Knight gets even darker in neo-noir thriller The Batman (2022)

This story begins with an already trauma-riddled Bruce Wayne, allowing us to witness his transformation from a vengeful vigilante to Gotham's hero.

By March 19, 2022

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Grab a seat at Signature Theatre’s Daphne’s Dive

As soon as the audience enters Signature Theatre’s ARK, they become immersed in the world of Daphne’s Dive. To get to their seats, they must walk across the black-and-white checkered... Read more

By March 18, 2022

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The National Geographic Museum reopens its doors and reinforces a call for change with its newest exhibitions

When visitors walk into the recently reopened National Geographic Museum, an important message greets them upon entry, “When a wildlife image sparks an emotional connection, it can also become a... Read more

By March 9, 2022

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Oscar contender The Worst Person in the World on how it feels to be alive

Something achingly beautiful happens halfway through The Worst Person in the World (2022), Joachim Trier’s latest romantic comedy-drama: Our protagonist Julie (Renate Reinsve) flicks a light switch in her boyfriend’s... Read more

By and March 5, 2022

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Metroid Dread is one of the Switch’s best games. It almost didn’t exist.

Nobody expected Metroid Dread (2021). The game, a follow-up to the Game Boy cult-classic Metroid Fusion (2002), began its life nearly two decades ago as a title for the Nintendo... Read more

By March 4, 2022

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Halsey’s If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power (Extended Version) demystifies pregnancy and fame

When Halsey first announced that their fourth studio album would be about pregnancy, she faced intense fan resistance. In an Internet age where teenagers and young adults are a cornerstone... Read more

By February 19, 2022

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In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the kingslayer isn’t the only one plotting

The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) opens on a disorienting, bleak, and foggy landscape, tracing in the footsteps of a weary soldier. The first lines of dialogue anchor the audience in... Read more

By February 18, 2022