pop

Addison Rae is a main pop girl — deal with it

TikTok dancer Addison Rae? Former member of the short-lived Hype House Addison Rae? Failed actress Addison Rae?  Yes, yes, and yes — it’s that Addison Rae. She’s here for pop domination.

| Contributing Writer

‘Kamala is Brat’ and pop culture politics

Maybe people aren’t planning to vote for Kamala in November just because Charli XCX mentioned her once, but at what point could someone’s political world become so saturated with celebrity culture, Instagram posts, and TikTok trends that it’s hardly based on the actual campaign anymore?

| Contributing Writer

A pop-girl summer

Summer: a time of freedom from the never-ending pile of schoolwork, of scorching St. Louis heat and humidity, and of mosquito bites, beach days, sunburns, and ice cream. But summer wouldn’t be summer without a playlist. And this summer’s chart-toppers has, undeniably, been dominated by a new generation of pop girls. This summer began with […]

| Junior Scene Editor

WashU Wrapped: ‘On Hold with the IRS’ brings community and camaraderie to center stage

Known for their thematic and upbeat shows, On Hold with the IRS went from WashU junior and singer and guitarist Charlie Morrison’s college dream to one of the most well-known student bands on campus.

and | Senior Forum Editor, Contributing Writer

From jazz to ‘Bedroom Pop’: WU senior to release new album ‘Drift Away’

“It’s a bittersweet moment,” says senior Carsen Codel, who’s new album “Drift Away,” released under the pseudonym c.rsn, releases Friday, Nov. 10 on all music streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube, Amazon Music, and SoundCloud.

| Contributing Writer

Taylor Swift Never Goes Out of Style: A Review of “1989 (Taylor’s Version)”

On Oct. 27, 2014, Taylor Swift released her fifth studio album. Shedding her country roots, Swift emerged into the pure pop world with “1989.” Sending her straight to the top of the charts, the album won Swift her second Album of the Year at the 58th Grammy Awards, as well as Best Pop Vocal Album.

| Contributing Writer

‘Up All Night’ | One Direction

The return of the boy band has been a long time coming. The Jonas Brothers look surprisingly clairvoyant and avant-garde, what with their quick rise and fall between 2006 and 2008. Justin Bieber followed soon after, and, now, the British are coming. Or they already came.

| Movie/TV Editor

‘Born to Die’ | Lana Del Rey

Many reviews of Lana Del Rey’s “Born to Die” have been released already, and they seem to focus on whether or not she’s a true indie songstress or a just label-created pop product. I, however, think she can be a fusion of the two, as not all pop has to be dance-y Britney beats and ballads. Lana Del Rey’s brand of pop instead recalls earlier times.

‘Nine Types of Light’ | TV on the Radio

TV on the Radio’s newest studio release “Nine Types of Light” is so excellent an album that anyone who is remotely interested in contemporary music should listen to it. Coming from a person who found “Dear Science,” the band’s critically acclaimed 2008 studio album, somewhat repetitive, the strong singles on this album came as a really pleasant surprise.

| Cadenza Reporter

‘Pink Friday’ | Nicki Minaj

At long last, BET’s Best New Artist Nicki Minaj has released her first album. Unfortunately, on “Pink Friday” she falls short of her reputation, offering an above-average pop album that shows flashes of brilliance but is ultimately suffocated by commerciality.

| Cadenza Reporter

Sign up for the email edition

Stay up to date with everything happening at Washington University and beyond.

Subscribe