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Published Works

Here are my recent works for various publications!

The Week UK

"The Week is for readers who want to know what's going on in the world, without having to read several daily newspapers or get wrapped up in the endless news cycle. For every important story, our editors carefully select commentary from all sides of the debate and artfully stitch them together into one concise read. By showing you every perspective, we enable you to form your own opinion."

The Week UK •

Spend a long weekend in the Lake District

The Lake District has so much to offer beyond its “spectacular panoramic views”, said Condé Nast Traveller. Famed for its impressive lakes and rugged mountains, the Unesco World Heritage site also has a “fantastic culinary scene” and “activities galore” to keep the whole family entertained, come rain or shine.For some historical sightseeing, visit the “turreted grey knuckle” of Wray Castle, a masterclass in Victorian Gothic Revival architecture built in 1840, said Condé Nast Traveller. It is als...
The Week UK •

Why AI behaves differently in different languages

A recent study conducted by Anthropic, the creator of Claude, analysed the AI chatbot’s responses across different languages. It found that if you want a friendlier tone, you may want to switch your language settings.Anthropic compared data from more than 300,000 anonymised conversations in a two-week period during May 2026, said The Decoder. The company looked into samples from the top 20 languages of Claude.ai and their three models: Sonnet 4.6, Opus 4.6 and Opus 4.7. The results showed Claude...
The Week UK •

Why French adults are taking homework to the beach

This is the summer of “cerebral pursuits” in France, with “a big rise” in the sale of “holiday workbooks”, said The Times. With their “cahiers de vacances” – an adult spin-off from school revision guides – grown-ups are “brushing up” algebra, history and grammar on the beach.Holiday workbooks were originally designed to help schoolchildren to keep up with their studies over the long summer break. But the new adult versions are a real hit: you only have scan bookshop shelves to see “the scale of...
The Week UK •

Christopher Nolan’s best films of all time

Christopher Nolan’s much-anticipated mythic action epic “The Odyssey” is out this week. Count down to its release by watching or rewatching some of the director’s greatest hits.The word of the summer in 2023 was “Barbenheimer”, as the blockbusters “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” both hit the big screen. “Oppenheimer”, definitely the darker half of the double feature, is Nolan’s “profoundly unnerving” retelling of the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) and the part he played in developing...
The Week UK •

Two major archaeological sites uncovered in Egypt

The Byzantine city, in the Dakhla oasis region, was a “remarkably preserved secret”, said the Egypt Independent. Eighteen tombs were also uncovered from the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site near Egypt’s northern coast.Aside from the historical knowledge gained from these sites, the discoveries could also attract more tourists to the country.The Dakhla oasis site could offer a “detailed glimpse” into urban development and economic activity in Byzantine Egypt, said The Independent. The ancien...
The Week UK •

The 10 best tearjerker films of all time

If you are after a good cry, these films will have you reaching for the tissues. From stories of survival and life-changing decisions to heartbreak and hope, here are some of the best tragic tales brought to the big screen.Director James Cameron became “king of the world” in the 1990s with this “wildly over-the-top weepie romance” between Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) on the so-called unsinkable ship, said Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian.Our heroine is “not suited for life in t...

Newton Beacon

"The Newton Beacon is an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan digital news organization reporting exclusively on Newton, Massachusetts. It is operated by the Newton News Foundation Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization led by a local, volunteer board of directors."

Newton Beacon •

Newton to deploy 'smart meters' for more accurate electricity use data - Newton Beacon

Newton residents can expect their old electric meters to be replaced with smart meters in the coming months. 
Smart meters are digital devices that can measure electric usage on a more detailed level than older meters.
“They are basically digital meters that monitor your electricity use with a whole lot more granularity than the old meters that we have right now,” said Anna Vanderspek, electric vehicle program director for Green Energy Consumers Alliance, an energy advocacy group based in Massac...
Newton Beacon •

Council committee continues debating winter parking ban but postpones action - Newton Beacon

A City Council committee revisited Newton’s controversial parking ban on Wednesday but held off again on taking action.
It was the third time the item has been on the committee’s agenda since Feb. 18.
The winter ban prohibits cars from parking on any public roads in Newton from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.  from Dec. 1 until March 31. A violation can result in a $25 fine. Last November,  city voters narrowly voted against repealing the ban.
Chair Tarik Lucas had asked committee members to bring goals to Wed...
Newton Beacon •

Wegmans will offer delivery service to customers of Chestnut Hill pharmacy after it closes - Newton Beacon

Wegmans is offering free prescription delivery services to customers of its Chestnut Hill pharmacy, which is closing Saturday.
Jeff Freilich, who started a petition asking Wegmans to keep the pharmacy open, has been working with Julie Lenhard, the supermarket chain’s pharmacy services vice president, to spread the word about the concierge service. Lenhard would not agree to an interview, but Wegmans emailed a statement about the decision to develop this service.
“As a direct result of the custom...
Newton Beacon •

Chris Boyd campaigns for Congress on a call to invest in region's future - Newton Beacon

Chris Boyd is still waiting for his American dream.
Growing up in Bellingham, Boyd experienced firsthand the struggles of a low-income American family and remembers when the 2008 recession hit home. With his single mother providing their only income, Boyd said, his family had to rely on public assistance programs.
“Let’s make sure that we’re investing in these programs to make life more affordable so that we can actually get that American dream,” Boyd said, “because we were promised an American...
Newton Beacon •

Newton architectural photographer Peter Vanderwarker turns his lens on Boston - Newton Beacon

Photographer Peter Vanderwarker, shown here in his Newton home, has artwork on display at the Cooper Center for Active Living. Photo by Lea TranNewton photographer Peter Vanderwarker has captured monuments in Paris, colorful sites in Yellowstone and natural wonders in Costa Rica. But as the 250th anniversary of American independence approaches, Vanderwarker’s new exhibit captures what he knows best: the city of Boston.
“Boston Freedom” features 11 photographs shot and chosen by Vanderwarker that...
Newton Beacon •

Committee takes up controversial overnight parking ban again - Newton Beacon

A City Council committee may decide soon whether to repeal or modify Newton’s hotly debated winter overnight parking ban.
The Council’s Public Safety and Transportation Committee heard public input March 4 and debated the measure, but ultimately decided to put the issue on hold.
Jeremey Freudberg, co-leader of the group Repeal the Ban, urged the council to act.
“Indeed the overnight parking ban is or does pose a hardship for a lot of people,” Freudberg said.
He said the council could consider ch...
Newton Beacon •

Newton teen creates award-winning app to help people with Type 1 diabetes - Newton Beacon

Aaron Prager of Newton has created an app that helps monitor Type 1 diabetes and won the Eastern Region Congressional App Challenge. Courtesy photoAs the son of two software engineers, Aaron Prager figured app development was in his future. Little did he know that the first app he made would be recognized on a national platform.
His app, BoostT1D, designed to help people with Type 1 diabetes, was chosen by Rep. Jake Auchincloss as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in the Massach...
Newton Beacon •

Wegmans’ plan to close Chestnut Hill pharmacy sparks outcry - Newton Beacon

Wegmans plans to close the pharmacy in its Chestnut Hill store next month, and local residents aren’t happy. Some are fighting back.
The supermarket chain is closing the Wegmans Pharmacy to create more space for groceries in Chestnut Hill, a Wegmans executive told a local resident in an email. Wegmans’s corporate office did not respond to repeated calls and emails from the Newton Beacon.
Deana Percassi, Wegmans’ vice president of community engagement, explained the decision to close the pharmacy...
Newton Beacon •

Snow, Well: Newton residents work at staying chill amid this brutal winter - Newton Beacon

By Kate Brodkin, Celine Hijazi and Lea Tran
In Newton Centre, the snow was so much that several businesses stayed closed a day or two after Monday’s blizzard. In Newton Highlands, pedestrians gingerly stepped through narrow shoveled strips of sidewalk. In Newtonville, residents complained about the slush and ice that is everywhere but mostly took this unrelenting winter in stride.
“I think it’s given us a lot of highlight moments,” said Kerry Murphy, a cybersecurity software engineer who works r...
Newton Beacon •

Newton-based Bricks for the Blind helps people without sight enjoy Legos - Newton Beacon

Newton resident Matthew Shifrin leads a nonprofit, Bricks for the Blind, which brings the joy of Legos to the sight-impaired. Courtesy photoNewton resident Matthew Shifrin leads an initiative to make Legos more accessible through his nonprofit Bricks for the Blind.
“It’s been really wonderful because blind people have been able to explore the world in different ways,” Shifrin said.
Shifrin, 28, who grew up and lives in Newton, was born blind. His love for Legos began when he was 13 and a family...
Newton Beacon •

In new City Hall role, Lauren Berman looks to help Newton's business community thrive - Newton Beacon

Lauren Berman is founder of All Over Newton, which fosters community connection while spotlighting local businesses. (Laney McAden / Heights Editor)Lauren Berman has organized PTO fundraisers, helped revamp Newton’s farmers market and organized a “bakery crawl” to benefit small shops. Now that she has assumed the role of the city’s economic development director, she’ll have a bigger hand in supporting businesses here.
“We want to make sure that the experience of opening a business is easy,” Berm...

Marblehead Current

The Marblehead Current is published by the Marblehead News Group, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news source staffed by veteran journalists with deep experience covering the town. Our Board of Directors is both locally-based and fully volunteer. Our mission: To provide Marblehead with objective, fair and free local news, online and in print, through a sustainable, locally-controlled nonprofit that values public service over profit."

Marblehead Current - News for people, not for prof •

Labor law violations cost Marblehead employers nearly $44,000 in state fines - Marblehead Current

The Attorney General’s office fined seven Marblehead employers for 17 state labor law violations between March 9, 2022, and Feb. 20, 2025, the Current has learned. 


More than 80% of all employer violations — including failing to pay minimum wage or provide earned sick time, keeping inaccurate records and child labor infractions — were issued in the past two years. Since March 9, 2022, Marblehead employers have paid nearly $44,000 in fines, records show.


The attorney general fined the Marbl...

HorizonMass

"The Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism supports the development and production of independent news—here at BINJ.News, our weekly magazine covering Boston and environs, and by syndicating our award-winning reporting to news outlets around Massachusetts and the nation."

BINJ •

For Any Generation, Boston Icon Peter Wolf’s Pocketbook Of Party Stories Can Inspire 

What does a 19-year-old girl from Los Angeles know about Peter Wolf?  Until I read his new memoir, not much—not even that it was his voice blaring through the speakers of my dad’s car when the J. Geils Band’s “Centerfold” played. Living in Boston now, though, I became intrigued by the towering rock star and radio personality, and so I picked up “Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters, and Goddesses.” Wolf is best known as the expressive multi-talented lead vocalist of J. Geils,...

Boston University News Service

"Boston University News Service is an online multimedia publication that promotes student-driven journalism. Our mission is to publish stories through a Boston lens with a commitment to excellence and a dedication to the trust of our readers and community."

2026: The year of Zendaya – Boston University News Service

By Lea Tran


Boston University News Service


As we approach the high season for entertainment releases, it seems we may be seeing a few of the same faces in the projects to come: Timothée Chalamet, Robert Pattison, Anne Hatheway, to name a few. But as more trailers are released and billboards are put up, it seems that actress Zendaya might take the win for the most movie poster features in 2026. Zendaya has already had a highly covered 2026 with her engagement to Tom Holland and the misinfor...

New developments to combat the heat in Chinatown creates new fears amongst residents – Boston University News Service

By Lea Tran 


Boston University News Service


Chinatown remains one of the top neighborhoods in Boston susceptible to climate change. Residents are wary of changes as Mayor Wu shares climate change initiatives as her reelection campaign continues.


Chinatown is the hottest neighborhood in Boston with the average daytime temperature in July rising to 105.5 degrees Fahrenheit, nearly 6 degrees hotter than the Boston average of 99.5 degrees, according to data from the Boston Heat Resilience P...

MXDWN

"mxdwn.com is an established online entertainment magazine that focuses on news, original reviews, features, photography and interviews. We are a leader and innovator in providing dynamic entertainment content across the realms of music, movies, video games and television."

mxdwn Music •

Jake E. Lee Says He Is Aiming To Play “The Ultimate Sin” At Black Sabbath’s Final Show Rather Than “Bark At The Moon” -

From Blabbermouth, guitarist Jake E. Lee shared his desire to play “The Ultimate Sin” at the final Black Sabbath show rather than the fan-picked “Bark At the Moon.” This would be at the “Back to The Beginning” charity show on July 5 in Birmingham, featuring the last time the original line-up of Black Sabbath will perform.

Lee said to Blabbermouth, “I know people are expecting ‘Bark At The Moon’, but I don’t know. Right now, with my wrist, the arthritis and everything, that would be very challen...
mxdwn Music •

Ho9909 Announce New Album Tomorrow We Escape For September 2025 Release, Shares New Single “Upside Down” -

Ho9909 release a new single, “Upside Down,” which will also be featured on their upcoming album Tomorrow We Escape. According to ConsequenceSound, the album will be released on September 9 and it will be a blend of the hip-hop, metal and punk genres. This hybrid sound is present in “Upside Down” with instrumentals from the metal and punk but the vocal pacing takes from the hip-hop and rap genre.

The music video is highly stylized, mixing scenes of nature and urban scenery. From a press release,...
mxdwn Music •

Raye Teams Up With Mark Ronson For Collaborative New Single “Suzanne” -

Raye’s new single with Mark Ronson, “Suzanne” is a jazzy, hopeless romantic tune that highlights both the strengths of each artist. Raye’s vocals are smooth and captivating as they sings about missing someone. matching well with the playful and strong elements of Ronson’s jazz instrumentals, including notable use of horns. The vocals are in tune with the drums and as the song progresses, there are more vocal layers added to make the sound even more heightened.

The music video is a stylized and...
mxdwn Music •

The Hu Unveil New Rendition Of “This Is Mongol (Warrior Souls)” Featuring Members Of Alice In Chains & Thousand Foot Krutch -

The Hu newest remix of their song “This Is Mongol”, features William Davis from Alice in Chains and Trevor McNevan under the alias Teerawk. The new version brings more layers to the song with more vocal elements that expand on the original song. The song still sounds the same with it’s familiar rock elements of the guitar and drums but just slightly changed with the new vocals.

The remix is featured on The Hu’s latest EP, Echos of Thunder, which features other new renditions of the band’s songs...
mxdwn Music •

Turnstile Invites Shabaka & Blood Orange Onstage For Collaborative Performances Of “Never Enough” & “Alien Love Call” -

At Turnstile’s performance at OutbreakFest in London, the artists brought out Shabaka for the song “Never Enough” and Blood Orange for “Alien Love Call.” Footage from the performance was posted on Twitter of Shabaka’s collaboration.

This is the first OutBreakFest hosted in London with Turnstile, Alex G and Danny Brown headlining.  Turnstile just released their newest album, Never Enough, which also came with a theatrical visual accompanying film that debuted at the New York Tribeca Film Festiva...
mxdwn Music •

Turnstile Share New Trailer For Forthcoming Film Turnstile: Never Enough, Announce Theatrical Release -

Turnstile’s new trailer for their upcoming film, “Turnstile: Never Enough” gives a glimpse to the visuals of the movie. The color palette of the trailer is warm and saturated giving the shots an uncanny vibe. There’s a repeating shot of an old school dial telephone with other clips of live performances and studio recordings also edited into the trailer.

The film will be a 14-song visual album and will premiere at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival on June 5. The album is said to highlight the ban...
mxdwn Music •

Daniel Avery Shares New Rendition Of The Cure’s “DRONE:NODRONE” From Forthcoming Mixes From A Lost World Album -

The Cure released Daniel Avery’s remix of their song, “DRONE:NODRONE” which is off of their upcoming remix album “Mixes of a Lost World”, the remix version of their “Songs of a Lost World.” Avery’s take on the song elevates the haunting structure of the song, enhancing the darker instrumentals and adding hints of techno beats. Avery’s additions give the song more dimensions with the new rhythm while sticking to the song’s overall dark vibe.

Avery is a part of the trio, Demise of Love. “Mixes of...
mxdwn Music •

Boys Noize, Keinemusik & Vinson Team Up For Collaborative New Track “Crazy For It” -

“Crazy For It” is the newest single from the collaborative minds of Boys Noize, Keinemusik and Vinson. It’s a melodic and hypnotic song that has hints of house-inspired beats. The introduction is mysterious with breathy vocals and an inviting drumbeat. The vocals become more intense as the song progresses, along with the tempo. Keinemusik recently performed at the 2025 Coachella, inviting Vinson to perform “Crazy For It” live.

The lyric “If you want it, you gotta go crazy for it”, is repeated t...
mxdwn Music •

Kaytranada Teams Up With Justine Skye For Collaborative New Single “Oh LaLa” -

Justine Skye’s new single, “Oh LaLa”, is a fun dance song that incorporates Kaytranada’s signature rhythmic beats. The song is an ode to club and dance culture, with Skye inviting the listener to join her in the dance. Skye’s voice carries to the hypnotic melody with the dance beat. The accompanying music video depicts the sweaty and sexy vibes of the dance floor with shots of people dancing, touching and overall having a good time. Kaytranada is featured behind the booth.

“‘Oh Lala’ is the fir...
mxdwn Music •

Pusha T & No Malice Join Forces On First New Clipse Single In 16 Years “Ace Trumpets” -

Pusha T and No Malice’s new single, “Ace Trumpets,” is a mellow rap song that is Clipse’s first single in 16 years. The song has a very slow and laid-back tempo, with the instrumentals carried by a strong drumbeat and a hint of guitar or strings. Both rappers’ flows are slower and rhythmic, allowing the listener to hear all the lyrics. The duo also announced their latest album, “Let God Sort Em Out,” which is produced by longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams, according to stereogum.com.

“Ace...
mxdwn Music •

I Prevail Unveil Dynamic New Single & Video “Violent Nature” -

I Prevail’s new single, “Violent Nature”, is released alongside an electric music video. The song is very aggressive both instrumentally and vocally, which is the heavy metal sound that I Prevail is known for. The music video showcases a science fiction landscape with intertwined clips of a storyline and the band performing.

The setting for the music video resembles an abandoned electric field or plant with electricity sparking in the back as the band is playing. The storyline that is shown thr...
mxdwn Music •

Chris Stapleton Shares Soulful New Single “Bad As I Used To Be” -

Chris Stapleton’s new single, “Bad As I Used To Be,” is a soulful rock song that sets the vibe for the upcoming Formula One movie titled F1. The song tells the story of someone returning with just the same amount of fire and passion as they once had, which reflects the plot of the movie. The instrumentals are a blend of soul, folk, country and rock that give the song a slight edge,e pairing well with Stapleton’s vocals.

The F1 soundtrack will also feature new music from Doja Cat, Rose, Dom Doll...
mxdwn Music •

New Judas Priest Documentary Directed By Tom Morello & Sam Dunn In Production -

Sony Vision Production announced a Judas Priest documentary titled The Ballad of Judas Priest. The project will be co-directed by Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine and Sam Dunn. It’ll also be Morello’s directorial debut. The documentary will focus on Judas Priest’s impact and legacy on the metal genre and beyond.

Grammy-winning band Judas Priest has been producing music and paving the way for metal since the 1970s. They’ve sold more the 50 million records and have released 19 studio alb...
mxdwn Music •

Bob Dylan Joined By Billy Strings Onstage For Collaborative Performance Of “All Along The Watchtower” -

Bob Dylan brings Billy Strings onstage to perform “All Along the Watchtower” at his show in Spokane, Washington. Dylan was headlining the Outlaw Music Festival on May 22nd where he brought on Strings to collaborate on a song for fans. Strings played the guitar while Dylan was on keys and vocals.

According to Consequence Sound, Dylan also had a 15-song setlist for the festival, including some covers like “I’ll Make It All Up to You” by Charlie Rich. It’s the Outlaw Music Festival’s 10th annivers...
mxdwn Music •

Foo Fighters’ Tour Rider For Jakarta Show Allows Band To Smoke, Drink & Curse Onstage -

Tour rider Ravel Entertainment has granted Foo Fighters’ show in Jakarta permission to smoke, drink, and curse onstage. Restrictions were initially put in place to protect parties from violating Indonesia’s decency laws, which could result in fines or jail time. Ravel Junardy, the show’s promoter and the CEO of Ravel Entertainment, said to Consequence Sound that this was a proactive measure to handle possible issues before they actually occurred.

“They’ve asked for the freedom to curse on stage...
mxdwn Music •

Lorna Shore Announce New Album I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me For September 2025 Release, Shares Lead Single & Video “Oblivion” -

Lorna Shore’s new music for “Oblivian” is a cinematic experience of an apocalyptic wasteland. The harsh sounds from the instrumentals and vocals match the dark vibe of the video. The video has clips of the band singing while also showing the story of those getting infected in a grassy wasteland, suffering from brutal infection deaths. The video gets even darker as people try to survive and begin to fight one another for power.

In a press release, Will Ramos, the band’s vocalist, said, “Writing...
mxdwn Music •

Lisa Teams Up With Tyla For Collaborative New Track “When I’m With You” -

Lisa’s new single, “When I’m With You”, is a hot song made in collaboration with Tyla for the summer. The video also features the new Bose x Lisa collaboration on her chic Bluetooth earbuds. The main premise of the video is Lisa and Tyla experiencing a heat wave with them and their girlfriends getting ready while fanning themselves.

The visuals are bright, those of a desert resort with lots of yellow, orange and red. All the girls are dressed in bedazzled tops and flowy skirts. Some shots are o...
mxdwn Music •

Diplo Joins Forces With Artemas For Collaborative New Single “Brain” -

Diplo’s new single “Brain” with Artemas has the techno dance sound paired with the toxic relationship lyrics. “Brain” is Diplo’s experiment with the genre of phonk, the dance-inflected hip hop instrumentals that have recently been making a comeback. The instrumentals are very techno and they play with different speeds and sounds to create a cinematic music experiment.

The accompanying visualizer has the setting of a strip club, shot on various cameras, including more vintage camcorders. A woman...
mxdwn Music •

Grace Potter Shares Cinematic New Single “Oasis” -

Grace Potter’s new song, “Oasis”, has a soulful and moody sound that is carried by Potter’s vocals. The simple instrumentals, guitar and drums, are supporting sounds to Potter’s voice, which is soft but also raw. “Oasis” is the third single off her upcoming album Medicine. Her voice gradually gets more deep and emotional as the song progresses, singing about themes of reaching something great, hence the title.

Potter in a press release said, “I wrote Oasis with the brilliant Mark Batson, so whi...
mxdwn Music •

Within Temptation Team Up With Jerry Heil For Collaborative New Single “Sing Like A Siren” -

Within Temptation’s new single, “Sing Like A Siren,” is a hypnotic and cinematic song made in collaboration with Jerry Heil. The song explores themes of determination, struggle, and the feeling of being powerless. Within Temptation’s enchanting vocals draw listeners in like sirens, and the instrumental only adds to the alluring vibe. There are also themes of guidance, as it’s also the siren leading the lost ones back home.

Jerry Heil said in a press release, “It’s more than just a song—it’s a s...
mxdwn Music •

Elbow Announce New EP Audio Vertigo Echo For June 2025 Release, Share New Single “Sober” -

Elbow’s new single, “Sober” is a funky dance beat paired with emotional vocals. The single will be featured on Elbow’s upcoming EP, Audio Vertigo Echo. The song explores a close relationship, reflecting on the memories and connection the parties have made, only to realize that the singer hasn’t seen the other sober in the time they’ve known each other.

“Sober” is a groovy song with a bit of funk from the instrumentals. The percussion and other instrumentals are steady throughout the song, while...
mxdwn Music •

Candlemass Unleash Masterful Cover Of Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” -

Candlemass pays homage to Black Sabbath and the doom metal genre with their cover and music video of “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” The video is very dark with the setting being the woods with fog and smoke adding to the spooky atmosphere. The first half of the video follows a woman dressed in all black with pure white eyes. Later, more people seem to join her in a ritual with the flickering lights and dissolve transitions, adding to the eerie vibe.

A star symbol is often projected over some of the...
mxdwn Music •

Behemoth Unveil Dark New Video For “Sowing Salt” -

Behemoth’s new music video for “Sowing Salt” is a dark fantasy realm that matches the grudge sound of the song. The visuals of the video seemed inspired by the Dune and Star Wars landscapes with black and white colorings, large gladiator-like arenas, and black, eerie spaceships. The singer is dressed in a ragged cloak, ghostly pale, with red, beady eyes as he screams the lyrics.

The video starts with our figure entering the arena as the music begins. The movements are almost animated, giving th...
mxdwn Music •

Sophie Ellis-Bextor Announces New Album Perimenopop For September 2025 Release, Shares New Single “Taste” -

Sophie Ellis-Bextor shares a new single, “Taste”, a techno dance song, alongside announcing her upcoming album, Perimenopop. “Taste” beat is funky, blending the electronic noise with Ellis-Bextor’s angelic voice. The song is flirty with its lyrics, seducing the listener with Ellis-Bextor’s vocals. Perimenpop is set to be released in September 2025.

Ellis-Bextor said in a press release, “‘With ‘Taste,’ I collaborated with MNEK and Jon Shave to write a playful, flirtatious pop song about chemistr...
mxdwn Music •

Lord Huron Announces New Album The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 For July 2025 Release, Shares New Single “Looking Back” -

Lord Huron announces their newest album along with the release of a single, “Looking Back.” Their new single has a mysterious and haunting tone as the lyrics reminisce on past memories. The new album, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, is set to release on July 18.

“Looking Back” has an overall eerie vibe with the steady and deep drum beats lurking in the background of the song, pairing well with the quiet strums of the guitar. The singer’s voice is soft, almost like a whisper, that draws the listener...
mxdwn Music •

Fiona Apple Shares Powerful New Song & Video “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)” -

Fiona Apple’s new single, “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)”, is a powerful and moving song that calls out the unjust bail system and the consequences it has on women in America. The song supported the Free Black Mamas DMV initiative, as Apple observed how many women are imprisoned before their trial because they cannot make bail. As a result, their families are torn apart and disrupted, even though in most cases the women are found innocent. Apple chants “There’s no more home,” emphasizing the destru...
mxdwn Music •

Matt Berninger Of The National Shares Meaningful New Solo Single “Inland Ocean” -

Matt Berninger’s new single, “Inland Ocean”, is the first song off his upcoming solo album Get Sunk. The song is a melodramatic instrumental beat that plays with different sounds to create a calm atmosphere. The lyrics mimic a chant exploring the metaphor of being adrift. “God loves the inland ocean / Lost cause, I have no emotion.”

Berninger co-wrote “Inland Ocean” with Walter Martin from The Walkmen. The song seems to be reminiscing on an old relationship as the singer talks about wanting to...
mxdwn Music •

Ty Segall Announces Fire Relief Benefit Compilation Album Featuring Redd Kross, Shannon and the Clams, Meatbodies & More -

Ty Segall announced, L.A. Recovers, a benefit compilation for Los Angeles fire relief and recovery funds after the wildfires burned around 57,000 acres in Los Angeles County. Some artists a part of the compilation include Ty, King Tuff, White Fence, No Age, Charles Moothart, Jack Name, Redd Kross, Emmett Kelly, Shannon & The Clams, Shannon Lay, The Intelligence, Meatbodies and Mikal Cronin. All proceeds will go to the charities: One Voice LA – Fire Relief Fund and California Black Freedom Fund –...
mxdwn Music •

Yungblud Announces Summer 2025 North American Tour Dates -

Yungblud announced the release of his upcoming album, IDOLS, as well as an accompanying North America 2025 tour. IDOLS will be Yungblud’s fourth studio album, with part one of the album available on June 2nd. His summer tour will start on August 23 in Los Angeles, CA and will end on September 21 in Toronto, ON.

It will be a 13-track album made in collaboration with producers Matt Schwartz and Bob Bradley and guitarist Adam Warrington. Yungblud’s past two albums were both number one in the UK an...
mxdwn Music •

Bumbershoot Announces 2025 Lineup Featuring Janelle Monae, Weezer, The Linda Lindas & More -

Seattle music festival, Bumbershoot, announced their 2025 weekend lineup, which included Weezer, Janelle Monáe, and Car Seat Headrest amongst the lineup. The festival will take place on Labor Day weekend with performances on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31. It’ll be held at the Seattle Center.

Brooklyn Vegan reported that Saturday’s headliner, Weezer, will perform their Blue Album as part of their Voyage to the Planet Blue tour, which is in honor of the 30th anniversary of the album....
mxdwn Music •

Machine Head Unveil Thundering New Video For “Outsider” -

Machine Head’s new video for “Outsider” features footage from their April 15 concert at the Aztec Theater. The video shares various clips of the band’s performance while also featuring many fun shots of the fans themselves in the crowd enjoying the music. The video was from their San Antonio stop on their North America tour that they’re currently on.

The video starts with some behind-the-scenes shots of the crew setting up the equipment and the band venturing around the venue. They also managed...
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Megan Thee Stallion Shares Energetic New Single & Video “Whenever” -

Megan Thee Stallion’s new single “Whenever” is both energetic and empowering for women. The music video is full of fun visuals as Megan Thee Stallion uses many different personas and costumes to get her point across. The song itself has a strong message of women taking charge in the relationship.

The video’s main setting is a classic waiting room, one you might find yourself in before a doctor’s appointment. The room is filled with the usual items like a TV, magazines, a clock, a reception desk...
mxdwn Music •

Sammy Hagar Shares Vivid New Single “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight” -

Sammy Hagar’s new single, “Encore, Thank You, Goodnight” is an emotional tribute to the late Eddie Van Halen. In the song, Hagar reminisces on the times of touring and producing music while also giving thanks to his friend and bandmate Van Halen. The lyrics “Thank you for the music/Thank you for the songs/Thank you for the good times” really drive home the message of the song.

The song starts with a long electric guitar solo and then enters into a very energetic rock and roll beat. Hagar’s voic...
mxdwn Music •

Ghost Announce Cancelation Of Madrid Show Due To “Complex Production Issues” -

Ghost cancels their April 30 show in Madrid, citing “complex production issues beyond our control” as one of the main reasons in a statement released by the band. They also said that “the venue is unable to safely accommodate the weight and size of our production,” which factored into the decision of cancelling the show.

Ghost attempted to relocate to a new venue, Moviestar Arena, but were unable to because of scheduling conflicts with a basketball game. The band also noted in their statement t...
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The Brian Jonestown Massacre Share Hypnotic New Single “Makes Me Great/Out Of Body” -

The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s new single “Makes Me Great/Out of Body” is a rhythmic, soulful tune driven by string instrumentals. The A-side, “Makes Me Great”, is a nostalgic and romantic song with the singer reminiscing on how far they’ve come and who has stuck by their side. The B-side, “Out of Body”, feels more like words of wisdom to a younger or past self.

Both songs are heavily driven by their instrumentals, while the vocals fall more into the background, sounding like whispers. “Out of...
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Ghost Tease Unreleased Song “Peacefield” In New Ghoulbangers Ball Vlog -

In a Ghoulbanger Ball vlog captures footage from Ghost’s performance in Manchester, England, where snippets of a new song, “Peacefield,” were shown. The clips themselves were only a few seconds long, but the instrumentals still carried the same heavy metal sound that Ghost is known for. The footage of the concert is especially exciting because Ghost is known for having a strict “no phone” policy at their performances.

The vlog followed host Vanessa Warwick, taking us along to experience all the...
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Bishop Briggs Shares Anthemic New Single “In Your Eyes” -

Bishop Briggs’ new single, “In Your Eyes”, is a part of the Inspired By Jane EP, dedicated to Mother Earth. The song is a love song to the earth while also creating a sense of urgency for us to make a stand against the injustices the planet faces. Briggs shows her appreciation for the earth as it’s been there for her, and it’s time for her to return the favor.

The instrumentals are simple, with only a basic guitar played in the background of Briggs’ voice. Other vocals are layered in to add som...
mxdwn Music •

Suicidal Tendencies Return With First New Song In 7 Years “Adrenaline Addict” -

Suicidal Tendencies’ newest song in almost a decade, “Adrenaline Addict” gives a new sound to punk. With guest vocals from Nisha STar, her softer voice is a fun and new contrast to the hardcore instrumentals and the frontman, Mike “Cyco Miko” Muir, rougher voice.

The song opens up with a fast drumbeat and then with STar’s addictive vocals. The song then becomes a fun call and response between STar and Muir. STar’s lyrics are a bit more encouraging as Muir’s are more aggressive, which reflects b...
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Eric Hilton Teams Up With Puma Ptah For Collaborative New Single “Leave It All” -

Eric Hilton’s “Leave It All” is both groovy and sultry with the combined vocals of Puma Ptah. It’s the latest single to be released off of Hilton’s upcoming album, Midnight Rages, which is available Friday, June 20. “Leave It All” is a calming ballad that also makes you want to sway your hips.

The song has a low drum beat with hints of horns in the background. Each drum sound is layered in a way that creates a bit of an echo effect that only adds to the sensual feeling of the song. The horns as...
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Punk In The Park Worcester Announces 2025 Lineup Featuring Bad Religion, Pennywise, Dwarves & More -

Punk In The Park’s Worcester performance has released its 2025 lineup. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, at the Palladium Outdoors. Some punk bands set to perform include Bad Religion, Pennywise and Face to Face. The event is produced by Brew Ha Ha Productions and will also showcase different craft beers, ciders and hard seltzers for those 21+. Bad Religion, Pennywise and Face to Face have also performed at Punk In Park in Colorado and Arizona early this year.

Bad Religion,...
mxdwn Music •

Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace Announce Fall 2025 Co-Headlining Tour Dates with Return to Dust -

Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace join forces to co-headline a U.S. fall 2025 tour. The tour will also feature Return to Dust, who will open.

The tour will consist of 21 nights starting on August 29 in Ridgedale, Missouri. Other cities the bands will visit include Charlotte, Austin and Seattle. The tour will conclude on October 12th in Durant, Oklahoma. According to Blabbermouth, Breaking Benjamin will be the closer for every tour date. All tour dates are attached below.

Breaking Benjamin...
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The Head and Heart Release New Song “Blue Embers” -

The Head and Heart’s newest single, “Blue Embers”, is a comforting song about conclusions. The song has a soft instrumentation including guitars and a steady dumbest that gives the song a folk-rock sound The Head and Heart is recognizable for.

The song explores themes of being overwhelmed and being stuck in a never-ending cycle. However, the song is comforting in a way that it reminds us that things eventually do come to an end, hence the lyrics, “But it does end.  And then things open up.  But...
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Carla Harvey Releases New Single “Sick Ones” and Announces New Project The Violent Hour For April 2025 -

Carla Harvey from the Butcher Babies releases “Sick Ones,” the first single off her new upcoming project, The Violent Hours. The song is very energetic with a rock and roll drumbeat that pairs well with Harvey’s raspy voice.

The song is an empowering anthem about cutting those off who aren’t serving you well. As the title suggests, these people are the “sick ones.” Harvey’s voice is on the cusp of yelling that carrying this aggressive and angry undertone to the song. Later in the song, there’s...
mxdwn Music •

Craig Wedren & Anna Waronker Release “Sleepwalking” From Yellowjackets Season 3 Score -

Craig Wedren and Anna Waronker team up on the soundtrack for Yellowjackets’ season three. The opening song, “Sleepwalker,” gives an ominous tone for the rest of the album and the season.

Waronker’s voice is haunting, drawing the listener in with her long vocal stretches. The sudden deep booms, along with violins, only add to the darkness of the song. The rest of the soundtrack explores different sounds to create a very mysterious and eerie atmosphere.

“Season three was a kaleidoscopic moving-p...
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Tennis Releases New Song "12 Blown Tires" With Music Video -

Tennis’ new music video for “12 Blown Tires” is a scenic adventure with lead vocalist Alaina Moore. The video is a compilation of Moore singing longingly to the camera as she is in various outdoor locations.

The video starts with a shot of Moore rowing out into the sea alone. The camera then zooms in on Moore’s face as she looks around before making eye contact with the camera. The setting is very beautiful with late afternoon lighting casting a soft look on all the scenes. The blues from the o...
mxdwn Music •

Former Regrettes Frontwoman Lydia Night Shares Debut Solo Single “Pity Party” -

Lydia Night, formerly the lead woman of Regrettes, releases both her first solo single and music video to accompany the indie pop song.

As the title suggests, “Pity Party” explores the singer’s past traumatic encounters, approaching these matters with a slightly self-aware and cynical tone. The instrumentals build up throughout the song, mimicking the frustration Night conveys through her lyrics and voice.

From the song, “Welcome to my pity party, gear up, it’s gonna get loud / Let′s take it t...
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Machine Head Unveil Cinematic New Video For “Bonescraper” -

Machine Head’s new music video for “Bonescraper” utilizes heavy editing and transitions with their loud visuals, which reflect the intense tone of the song.

The video briefly starts with clips of lead singer, Rob Flynn, that fade in and out to create a calming introduction like in the song. The peace is soon disturbed with flashing lights and electric sparks that transition the song to its more lively metal sound.

The first half of the music video is mostly clips of each band member surrounded...

Daily Free Press

"The Daily Free Press (ISSN 1094-7337), the independent student newspaper at Boston University, is published digitally Monday through Friday and printed on Thursdays monthly during the academic year except during vacation and exam periods, as well as when there aren’t ads to help cover the cost of printing. The paper is published by Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc., a nonprofit Massachusetts corporation operated by Boston University students. The paper was founded May 5, 1970 by BU students."

Daily Free Press •

If you like this, try that: movie edition – The Daily Free Press

Have you ever watched a movie that was so good that you wondered if any other film was going to encapsulate that same energy?
I mean, that’s why we rewatch movies — to relive the magic. 
However, just think of all the movies that you will probably love but are missing out on. To help you out, I’ve created an “if you like this movie watch that movie” guide, so you can be sure to find something you like.
If you like “10 Things I Hate About You,” then you’ll like “Get Over It”
I’ve been a victim of...
Daily Free Press •

A guide to romantic movies for every relationship status this Valentine’s Day – The Daily Free Press

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you might be scrambling to fill the night with plans, whether you’re in a picture-perfect relationship or not.
So, I’ve compiled a guide of movies you should watch depending on whatever situation you find yourself in this Valentine’s Day.
For those studying abroad: “Before Sunrise”
If you went abroad hoping you’d experience an unforgettable romance in the streets of Barcelona, Sydney or wherever you are, let “Before Sunrise” continue to fuel your dreams....
Daily Free Press •

A love letter to the strangest show I’ve ever watched: ‘Twin Peaks’ – The Daily Free Press

“This is like some kind of miracle. A phenomenon,” shouted Deputy Gordon Cole, a “Twin Peaks” character played by the beloved David Lynch.
And that’s what “Twin Peaks” was — some sort of phenomenon. It’s a show that proved TV could be a medium for artistic storytelling. 
“Twin Peaks,” created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, follows an investigation into the murder of picture-perfect homecoming queen, Laura Palmer.
The show first aired in April 1990, and ran for two seasons. A prequel movie was la...
Daily Free Press •

Test your fears with these horror movies that deserve both screams and applause – The Daily Free Press

Halloween waits eerily around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to test your fears. With endless options to choose from, horror movies are a perfect way to get into the spooky mood. But horror movies shouldn’t just be about making you scream — they should also be compelling and entertaining. 
To help you decide your next scary watch, I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorite horror movies that deserve more attention. These movies not only had me hiding behind my friends, but also had me s...
Daily Free Press •

Breaking the cardinal sin for book lovers: movie before the book – The Daily Free Press

Please excuse me. I have a terrible thing to admit.
I watched the movie before the book. Even worse, I’ve watched the movie and I don’t even want to read the book.
Now before you say anything, I wasn’t always this way. When I was younger, I truly believed in reading the book before seeing the movie. This was partially enforced by my mom, who always wanted me to finish the book before taking me to see its movie adaptation. 
Throughout my childhood, I made sure to power through all seven books of...
Daily Free Press •

Letterboxd: Leaving traditional social media for ‘reel’ this time – The Daily Free Press

If we’re being honest, social media can definitely be an anxiety-inducing environment.
When I open social media platforms like Instagram, I get ambushed with hundreds of different posts from my friends in an instant. Most times, it’s not even my friends’ posts that I scroll through. Instead, I see posts from friends of friends or old classmates that I don’t care about. These are people who I probably haven’t interacted with in years, or, honestly, ever. 
I’m constantly seeing what all these rand...