Kang’s “The Vegetarian” Offers a Cerebral Take On Autonomy

Warning: This article contains references to sexual assault and mental illness. This book review is also NOT spoiler free. The only word that immediately comes to mind when I think about describing “The Vegetarian” is strange. At a mere 192 pages, it is not long, nor is it particularly difficult to read. Han Kang’s cerebral work is nowhere near as difficult to read as the coursework in upper-level philosophy courses might be. Yet, at the same time, I wouldn’t describe “The Vegetarian” as a lig

Thanksgiving Reading List: Four Books to Start and Finish This Break

Not having class isn’t enough to truly feel like you’re on a break from the hustle and bustle of college. Sometimes what you need to get away from the stress of the semester is to leave this world completely. My favorite way to do that is to tuck into a good book. Below are a few books that are perfect for doing just that. Marina Keegan’s “The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories” Publisher’s Blurb: “An affecting and hope-filled posthumous collection of essays and stories from the talent

10 Songs That Will Surely Get You Through That Mid-Semester Slump

Everyone has that one song that keeps them going during this time of the year. Whether it be a Top 40 hit or simply a song you have loved for years now, we all know the feeling of popping in your headphones and cranking up the volume of your favorite song. It’s pure bliss! But what if you had an entire playlist of songs that are sure to make your busy day just a little bit better? Look no further; I’ve got the playlist for you! “Cold Water”, Major Lazer, MO and Justin Bieber: “If you feel you’r

“A Seat at the Table” Celebrates Self-Love with Perfectly Light Production

The Knowles’ sisters are all about surprising their fans. This past Friday, Sept. 30, Beyoncé’s younger sister Solange Knowles released her first full-length album since 2008 and her first musical effort since 2012. The album was a double release, complete with a digital album booklet that included all of the album’s lyrics as well as artistic photos featuring Knowles and other models. If I had to think of one phrase to describe Solange’s new album, I would say: Tangible Black Girl Magic. Ever

Was it Worth the Wait? Frank Ocean’s Newest Album, “Blonde”

Any artist that makes his fans wait four years in between albums, with multiple false release dates and still has fans must be talented. Or at the very least, must be such an enigma that people will listen either way. Frank Ocean qualifies for both categories. When he stepped on the scene in 2011 as a solo artist, many people already knew Ocean. He had been a member of the collective group Odd Future for a year already. Although I have never listened to his first mixtape, “Nostalgia, Ultra,” t

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Release Album Without Jade Castrinos

Early in 2014, fans of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were shocked to learn that Jade Castrinos would not be joining the ten-piece band on the next North American Tour. Nor would she be joining the band in the future — Castrinos was effectively fired from the band. Fans would no longer be able to hear those signature lyrics from the band’s hit single, “Home,” live — Jade and Alexander were no more. Or at least, that’s how she put it in a since-deleted Instagram post. The musician wrote:

Six Exciting Things to Watch Next Time You're Procrastinating

If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for reasons to procrastinate. If you’ve already watched all of “House of Cards”, “Jessica Jones” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” you do not have to look any further for new material. Here are the best six things you should watch next on your respective streaming services: 6. “UnReal” A Lifetime Original dark comedy series, “UnReal” is a mythical, “behind-the-scenes” version of reality television dating shows like “The Bachelor.” The show th

The 1975 Release Album “I Like it When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful”

Following the release of their four EPs in 2012 and 2013, British four-piece, The 1975 finally released their eponymous full length album in 2013. The album shot up the charts and even was number one in a couple of countries. After a sly endorsement in the form of a tweet from One Direction member Harry Styles, and a Taylor Swift sighting at one of their concerts, The 1975 became overnight successes. Fans quickly fell in love with lead singer Matt Healy and his habit of mumbling the song lyrics.

Rihanna’s “ANTI” Demonstrates a Newfound, Bold Individuality

It is extremely difficult to find someone today who has never heard of Rihanna. Whether you have seen her in the tabloids or fashion blogs, watched her in Star Trek or been a long-time fan of her music, there is no doubt you’ve at least had some contact with the multi-talented and incredibly beautiful pop star. Originally coming off the success of a string of singles (which are oddly missing from her new album) and a critically acclaimed children’s movie entitled “Home,” Rihanna is now everywher

Cage the Elephant’s “Tell Me I’m Pretty” Introduces a New, Tranquil Sound

Evan Paul ’18 Staff Writer About three songs into Cage the Elephant’s newest release “Tell Me I’m Pretty,” I had to double check that I was playing the album on Spotify and not the artist’s radio station. That’s how closely lead singer Matthew Shultz’s drawl resembles Alex Turner’s (the lead singer of Arctic Monkeys) signature voice. I don’t like to call copycat (which has already been done by fans of The Black Keys), but the comparison between Shultz and Turner is uncanny. Even so, “Tell Me

A Musical Guide to Surviving and Thriving During These Final Weeks

We have been dreading it all semester: finals week. Everyone knows the feeling of impending doom that clouds the campus during this time of year, but I am here to tell you it doesn’t have to be this way. No, unfortunately, exams and papers are not canceled, but here are a few things to help you out during those times when giving up seems like the easiest plan of action. Without further ado, here are a few musical tips and tricks that are sure to make studying a little easier. While Studying fo

EL VY’s First Collaborative Album “Return to the Moon” Disappoints

Matt Berninger and Brent Knopf are not strangers to the music industry. Berninger’s band, The National, has been around since the late nineties and has released six albums since they formed. The National’s sound has hints of very dark, sometimes scary lyricism and half-spoken, half-sung delivery from Berninger. The National has risen to considerable fame following the release of their most recent album “Trouble Will Find Me” in 2013. Knopf’s musical career has also steadily climbed. Beginning

New Artists to Watch: Hippo Campus Produces Promising EPs

As of yet, the Minnesota-based band Hippo Campus has not released a full-length album. However, the band’s recently released EPs titled “Bashful Creatures” and “South” are providing fans with enough to tide them over until a full-length effort is released. So, who exactly are the members of Hippo Campus? Where did they come from, and will they stick around? If you’re looking for concrete answers, you’ll be hard pressed to find them. The band’s website doesn’t have an “About” page, and if you v

New Film “Mistress America” Repeats Director Baumbach’s Tropes

How far is too far? What’s the difference between what we see in people and what they see in themselves? Those are the questions explored in Noah Baumbach’s latest feature film “Mistress America.” Baumbach is known for his films about characters struggling with growing up, and “Mistress America” is no different. The film, which stars Lola Kirke, an up-and-coming actress, and Greta Gerwig (“Frances Ha,” “Greenberg” and “No Strings Attached”), focuses on the life of a first-year at Barnard College

Long-Awaited “Badlands” Proves Halsey a Young Artist to Watch

Ashley Frangipane, better known by her stage name, Halsey, recently stormed into the music scene with a near-shocking amount of gusto and dedication to her craft. Her first full-length album, “Badlands,” is the latest result of that dedication. Halsey’s career began when she posted a version of her single “Ghost” to her personal SoundCloud page, which eventually led to her record deal. Following her first single release, Halsey went on to drop an EP titled “Room 93,” which was met with rave re

Jenny Hubbard’s Young Adult Novel “And We Stay” Misses Mark

In Jenny Hubbard’s 2014 novel “And We Stay,” the author attempts to explore a teenager’s mind after a tragic loss: the untimely death of her high school boyfriend. After suffering from severe depression and unsure what else she can do, Emily Beam, the protagonist of the novel, ships off to an all girl’s boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts. Once she’s there, Emily becomes enamored with another Emily — Emily Dickinson. Inspired by the poet, Emily Beam spends her first year at boarding school

Big Sean’s Latest,“Dark Sky Paradise” Takes on an Introspective Tone

When Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, better known as Big Sean, came onto the music scene in 2007, he was met with general praise. Following the release of his first mixtape, “Finally Famous: The Mixtape,” Big Sean went on to gain mainstream success. Although he did put out two albums before his most recent effort, “Dark Sky Paradise,” Big Sean is most known for his many collaborations with other artists, including Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Kanye West. Big Sean has become widely known for

Senior Thesis Explores the Trials and Tribulations of Growing Up

Right in the midst of thesis season for Amherst’s Theater and Dance Department, Evan Paul ’18 sat down with one of the stars of one of the numerous pieces being presented. First-year student Irisdelia Garcia just finished a three-performance run as the lead in senior Valerie Rodriguez’s final project, “Grow Up, Already!” Rodriguez’s play recounts the struggles of four friends as they grow up throughout their four years in college. The play tackles subjects from the lighthearted to the tragic,

Predictability and Questionable Acting Taint 2014’s “Jessabelle”

Set in present-day Louisiana, “Jessabelle” tells the story of a young woman, Jessie, who is forced to move from an unnamed place back to her hometown, St. Francis, Louisiana. Once there, Jessie must confront what seems to be an evil spirit that has been waiting for her return for years. Within the first five minutes of director Kevin Greutert’s 2014 horror movie “Jessabelle,” it’s clear that nothing will happen in this film that we haven’t seen before. A young girl and her fiancé are preparing

Fall Out Boy's Latest Falls a Bit Short

In the fall of 2009 when Fall Out Boy announced their impending hiatus, fans of the nearly decade-old band were devastated. Not to be deterred, Fall Out Boy put out “Believers Never Die,” a greatest hits album, and played what many feared would be their last show ever. During what became a four-year hiatus,which the band’s bassist Pete Wentz called a “decompressing period”, the members of Fall Out Boy went their separate ways and pursued jobs outside of the former band. Patrick Stump, Fall Out B

Debut Album Sets Banks Apart from Other Female Rap Artists

Outspoken rapper, singer and songwriter Azealia Banks finally released her long-awaited debut album, “Broke With Expensive Taste” on Nov. 6. Banks, a native New Yorker, started out in the music industry at the age of 17, when she began to upload her music to MySpace. After releasing both the EP “1991” and the mixtape “Fantasea” in 2012, Banks landed on almost everyone’s radar. However, her career so far hasn’t lacked struggles; the artist has hit more than a couple of rough patches that have bot

Digital Photographer Beban to Speak on Parisian Street Art

Richard Beban lives full-time in Paris, France. He photographs and co-edits “Paris Play,” an online journal about Parisian street art written and co-edited by his wife, Kaaren Kitchell. He specializes in digital street photography and is also an accomplished poet and journalist. On Oct. 29, he will present “Why Don’t We Do It in the Rue: Celebrating Street Art in Paris.” The talk begins at 4:30 p.m. in Converse Hall’s Cole Assembly Room. Staff writer Evan Paul ’18 speaks with Beban from his home

“Annabelle:” A Terrifyingly Underwhelming Prequel

Capitalizing off of his highly successful 2013 horror film, “The Conjuring,” prolific Australian producer, writer and director James Wan (writer, producer or director for all of the “Saw” franchise films, the “Insidious” series, “Fast &Furious 7,” and more films) provides a compelling prequel in 2014’s “Annabelle.” Whereas The Conjuring focused on the true story of a case that Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators famous for their investigation of the Amityville Horror as well as a ho

Banks' "Goddess" a Promising Freshman Album

Jillian Banks, known by her stage name Banks, began posting music on Soundcloud in 2012 before she finally signed her first record deal a year later. After her first official single under a record label was played on BBC Radio 1, Banks’ popularity rose. Soon afterward, Banks released two EPs, one called “Fall Over” through IAMSOUND Records (home to Florence + the Machine and Charli XCX) and another entitled “London” through Harvest Records. The EPs received extremely positive reviews from both