Leisure

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

Leisure

Saw X brings you grotesque gore in 4k, but falls slightly flat 

Fan or not, Saw X will make you absolutely squirm in your seats, especially if you can handle it in 4K.

By October 25, 2023

Leisure

Drake isn’t past his prime, but he’s certainly acting like it

Put simply, listening to Dogs feels like watching Drake go through a midlife crisis in real time.

By October 21, 2023

Leisure

Frankie and the Witch Fingers ignite D.C. at the Black Cat

Frankie and the Witch Fingers provided an unexpected genre blend, and the crowd was with it.

By October 11, 2023

Leisure

Scarlet doesn’t need your praise, but you’ll be giving it anyway

On Scarlet, an unapologetic Doja Cat showcases her vocal ability, lyricism, and sexuality with a brash confidence that oozes out of every track.

By October 7, 2023

Leisure

Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is glamorous queer pop bliss

On The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Chappell Roan is liberated in every sense of the word: unapologetically queer, flirtatious, and joyful.

By October 6, 2023

Leisure

Laufey’s spell-binding Bewitched is akin to a storybook fairytale

On Bewitched, Laufey invites you to float up into her fantasy world, reminding us of the transportive magic of jazz.

By October 5, 2023

Leisure

Victoria Monét stealthily taps into her starpower on JAGUAR II

On Jaguar II, Monét demonstrates mastery over R&B, bending the genre to her will while tapping into other sounds to further mold the album’s tropical feel.

By September 25, 2023

Leisure

On his self-titled album, establishment-rejecting singer-songwriter Zach Bryan turns inward

Bryan’s second official album is a triumph of authenticity and self-examination in a concise format.

By September 22, 2023

Leisure

Olivia Rodrigo unleashes her bloody female rage

On GUTS, the 20-year-old pop superstar bares the ugliest, messiest parts of herself in a staggeringly sophisticated work of pop-punk perfection.

By September 22, 2023

Leisure

Twisted Pine branches beyond its bluegrass roots

Equal parts folk, pop, jazz, and funk, Twisted Pine prides itself on its ability to turn crowds into communities.

By September 22, 2023

Leisure

MLK Jr. Library exhibit explores D.C.’s Black feminist history

The MLK Library’s exhibit weaves an intricate, illuminating tapestry of D.C.’s Black feminist history, and it leaves a profound impression.

By September 20, 2023

Leisure

Dumb Money is a smart movie about the stock market and the power of Reddit

If you mix up Jimmy Buffett and Warren Buffett, or if you’re simply in the mood for a good underdog story, Dumb Money will be right up your alley.

By September 18, 2023

Leisure

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is a sincere tribute to Greece, family, and Windex

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 retains the charm and character of the first two films, while diving deeper into the darker themes of grief and belonging. 

By September 11, 2023

Leisure

Reneé Rapp’s Snow Angel will melt your icy heart

Snow Angel is the perfect companion to keep you warm through the cold months ahead.

By September 11, 2023

Leisure

A Foodie’s Guide to D.C. Restaurants

As a cultural melting-pot—a true microcosm of the United States as a whole—D.C. has everything a foodie would ever want!

By September 11, 2023

Leisure

Bottoms: In defense of “ugly, untalented gays”

Brought to life with a hearty dose of queer teen drama, hilarious antics, and endless quotable lines, Bottoms is sure to become an instant classic.

By and September 8, 2023

Leisure

Barbie: A hot pink return to monoculture

This summer, however, pink has dominated in both the box office and the zeitgeist—so much so that it may have temporarily revived the Anglo-American monoculture. 

By August 29, 2023

Leisure

Oppenheimer plays with fire

In Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan is begging us to learn from our past.

By August 29, 2023

Leisure

With Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), Taylor Swift says “Long Live” to an iconic album

Speak Now (Taylor's Version) represents the pinnacle of Swift’s preoccupation with using her music to connect with fans and control her own narrative.

By and August 12, 2023

Leisure

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse weaves a perfect web of story, style, and sound

Woven into Across the Spider-Verse's colorful animation and humor is a deft exploration of the complexities of morality and destiny.

By August 1, 2023