Leisure

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

Leisure

Critical Voices: Sleeping With Sirens, Gossip

There comes a time in the career of countless artists when they decide it’s time to go mainstream in a maybe disappointing though understandable move to keep their music relevant.... Read more

By October 13, 2017

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Critical Voices: Miley Cyrus, Younger Now

The world’s favorite sledgehammer licker, Miley Cyrus, has returned with the release of her latest album, Younger Now. After a few years of reshaping her identity and scarring the world’s... Read more

By October 13, 2017

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American Made Fails to Address Sensitive Issues

From the very first scene, viewers of American Made know what they are getting themselves into as Barry Seal (Tom Cruise) deliberately startles the sleeping passengers on board by taking... Read more

By October 11, 2017

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Critical Voices: Kamasi Washington, Harmony of Difference

After releasing his breakout 2015 album, aptly titled The Epic, saxophonist Kamasi Washington was hailed as the future of jazz, as one of few artists who would take the genre... Read more

By October 6, 2017

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Don’t Accept This Friend Request

It’s a great time to be a fan of horror movies. The past five years have seen mainstream hits like The Conjuring franchise that has combined critical and commercial success,... Read more

By October 5, 2017

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Emma Stone Shines in Unfocused but Entertaining Biopic Battle of the Sexes

Battle of the Sexes employs a largely impractical structure to tell the story of how two tennis giants of opposite sexes went head-to-head in a legendary match in 1973. Starring... Read more

By September 29, 2017

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Critical Voices: The Neighbourhood, Hard

“Sweater Weather” is definitely in the air, not only because it is officially fall, but because The Neighbourhood recently released their new EP, Hard, on September 21. The California-based band... Read more

By September 29, 2017

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Kingsman: The Golden Circle Is Too Much of a Good Thing

Few films are made with as little restraint as Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Writer and director Matthew Vaughn manages to squeeze jaw-dropping action, political commentary, Elton John, betrayals, relationship drama,... Read more

By September 29, 2017

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Badbadnotgood Concert Review: Definitely Not Bad at the 9:30 Club

On Sunday night, Badbadnotgood solidified their place as one of jazz’s most compelling and entertaining acts. After a dramatic entrance to their rendition of “The Tequila Song” (powered primarily by... Read more

By September 25, 2017

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Dunst’s performance as a grief-stricken marijuana dealer is the highlight of half-baked drama, Woodshock

Film festival season is in high gear, and this year all bets are on A24. In the past several years, the production company has been touted for its provocative, thought-provoking... Read more

By September 25, 2017

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Critical Voices: Prophets of Rage, Prophets of Rage

Acoustic artists and soft strumming are the usual ingredients of protest music, as evidenced by artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger who sought peace, free speech, and... Read more

By September 25, 2017

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Critical Voices: Thomas Rhett, Life Changes

Life Changes is country pop act Thomas Rhett’s third studio album since his 2013 debut. It is reminiscent of the transition seen in Taylor Swift’s Red, with the sound caught... Read more

By September 22, 2017

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mother! Lives Up To Its Peculiar Reputation

In mother!, Darren Aronofsky flaunts his aptitude for making controversial films that leave some people fascinated and others irritated. The leading actors Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem have already sparked... Read more

By September 20, 2017

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Concert Review: The Weeknd, Sept. 15, Capital One Arena

In line with the 80’s sci-fi themes of his latest album Starboy, Abel Tesfaye, better known as the Weeknd, opened his show at Capital One Arena on Sept. 15 amidst... Read more

By September 19, 2017

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A Recluse Revealed in Rebel in the Rye

Few people left high school without reading J.D. Salinger’s famed literary classic The Catcher in the Rye. Widely regarded as one of the first American novels to truly capture the... Read more

By September 19, 2017

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Good Things Come in Threes at Touchstone Gallery

At Touchstone Gallery in downtown D.C., three separate collections will be running until Oct. 1. The collections, “About Face: Reversals and Undoings,” “Physiognomy,” and “Ordered Complexities,” are all intricate explorations... Read more

By September 19, 2017

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Critical Voices: The Script, Freedom Child

Known for popular songs “Breakeven” and “Hall of Fame,” The Script released their fifth album, Freedom Child, on Sept 1. The band debuted at number one on the UK charts, marking... Read more

By September 18, 2017

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Conner Youngblood on Finding Inspiration and Navigating the Music Industry

Texas-native Conner Youngblood first started playing clarinet in his middle school band at the age of 12, but can now play anywhere from 15-20 different instruments. At 27 years old,... Read more

By September 18, 2017

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Concert Preview: Broken Social Scene, September 20, 9:30 Club

With the release of their fifth studio album, Hug of Thunder, indie-rock band Broken Social Scene continues its international tour at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on September 20.... Read more

By September 16, 2017

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Critical Voices: Alvvays, Antisocialites

After spending most of her time on tour for the last few years, Molly Rankin, frontwoman of indie band Alvvays, decided to escape to Toronto Island. There, she found inspiration... Read more

By September 15, 2017